It's been a while since I posted, so I thought I'd do a quick post to let you all know we are still alive. We've just been really busy getting ready to move. We got the house all painted (well, except the bathrooms & laundry room, but whateveh), and have taken over a few loads of stuff.
We slept at the new house a couple of days the beginning of the week, and now the kids want to be at "the new house" all the time, so that's a good sign.
So, the EQ (and by "EQ" I mean "Elders Quorum") is supposed to be here tomorrow morning at 8 am to help load the truck, and hopefully we will be moved into the new house by tomorrow night, but most likely Sunday night.
Wish us luck!! Next post--from the new house! :)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
These 3 Are 4!!
Since it is the kids’ birthday, I thought it would be prudent to do the customary “through the years” picture post. It has been a lot of fun looking back through old pictures, though. They have grown so much! Can you believe these guys are four now?! It’s insane!
First, we'll start with their "birth" day.
Scott holding Michael:
Jillian holding Emma:
Katelynn (we weren't able to hold her for a couple of days):
All three in the NICU (this is actually a couple of weeks after they were born).
l to r: Michael, Emma, Katelynn.
ONE YEAR OLD
Emma:
Katelynn:
Michael:
All three. Don't you love the desperation on Michael's face? Get me outta here!!
l to r: Emma, Michael, Katelynn.
TWO YEARS OLD
Emma:
Katelynn:
Michael:
All three. These photos were taken by my friend Janna in Utah at Thanksgiving Point. I love them! l to r: Emma, Michael, Katelynn
THREE YEARS OLD
Emma:
Katelynn:
Michael:
All three...troublemakers! l to r: Katelynn, Michael, Emma.
2009- taken about 1 month before their 4th birthday.
Emma:
Katelynn:
Michael:
All three. l to r: Katelynn, Emma, Michael.
Boy, does the time fly or what?! Happy birthday, kiddos!
First, we'll start with their "birth" day.
Scott holding Michael:
Jillian holding Emma:
Katelynn (we weren't able to hold her for a couple of days):
All three in the NICU (this is actually a couple of weeks after they were born).
l to r: Michael, Emma, Katelynn.
ONE YEAR OLD
Emma:
Katelynn:
Michael:
All three. Don't you love the desperation on Michael's face? Get me outta here!!
l to r: Emma, Michael, Katelynn.
TWO YEARS OLD
Emma:
Katelynn:
Michael:
All three. These photos were taken by my friend Janna in Utah at Thanksgiving Point. I love them! l to r: Emma, Michael, Katelynn
THREE YEARS OLD
Emma:
Katelynn:
Michael:
All three...troublemakers! l to r: Katelynn, Michael, Emma.
2009- taken about 1 month before their 4th birthday.
Emma:
Katelynn:
Michael:
All three. l to r: Katelynn, Emma, Michael.
Boy, does the time fly or what?! Happy birthday, kiddos!
Sprinkling
Right now it is a little overcast and the wind is blowing. Earlier it was raining a little bit.
The kids ran outside and said, "It's raining outside! We need our coats!!"
Uhm, guys...it's still 89 degrees outside. You are NOT cold. You do not need your coats.
The kids ran outside and said, "It's raining outside! We need our coats!!"
Uhm, guys...it's still 89 degrees outside. You are NOT cold. You do not need your coats.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Creating
A few weeks ago we had a Family Home Evening about the Creation. (link to the post about it here) Since then the kids have been obsessed with pointing out everything and saying Jesus created it for us. They will also refer to things as "Jesus' ____(fill in the blank)". Jesus' flowers, Jesus' clouds, Jesus' cars, etc. They talk about how Jesus created us, and name off different people that Jesus created.
The other day we were working at the new house. Michael excitedly ran in the house, grabbed my hand and dragged me outside to show me something. He said, "Look! Look, over there. Right here. Jesus created ants for us! They're at our house! I'm so glad!"
On the same day I saw Michael playing outside on the patio. He was waving the dustpan at a pile of dried flower petals. He would stop and say "Okay, it's going to get windy now", then he would start waving the dustpan again. I walked outside and said, "Are you making it windy?". He said, "Yes, I'm making it windy like Jesus created everything for us, and I'm creating wind like Jesus created it for us."
What three-year-old says, "I'm creating."?!
Wow.
That's all I can say.
wow.
Sometimes it freaks me out how perceptive these kids can be. They are so pure in their logic. They're just so matter of fact about it. We are truly creative beings, as Elder Uchtdorf so eloquently put it.
The other day we were working at the new house. Michael excitedly ran in the house, grabbed my hand and dragged me outside to show me something. He said, "Look! Look, over there. Right here. Jesus created ants for us! They're at our house! I'm so glad!"
On the same day I saw Michael playing outside on the patio. He was waving the dustpan at a pile of dried flower petals. He would stop and say "Okay, it's going to get windy now", then he would start waving the dustpan again. I walked outside and said, "Are you making it windy?". He said, "Yes, I'm making it windy like Jesus created everything for us, and I'm creating wind like Jesus created it for us."
What three-year-old says, "I'm creating."?!
Wow.
That's all I can say.
wow.
Sometimes it freaks me out how perceptive these kids can be. They are so pure in their logic. They're just so matter of fact about it. We are truly creative beings, as Elder Uchtdorf so eloquently put it.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Joint Party
No, it was NOT a marijuana party. It was a combined birthday party for a couple of our friends from school. Kali & Cole's birthdays are a couple of days apart, and they both turned {ONE}!
For the party they had a blow-up water slide. They kids loved it. It was a nice way for them to cool off, since our highs have been in the 100s the last week or so--and it doesn't look like it will be cooling off anytime soon!
I love the look on Michael's face in this pic.
Woo-hoo!
Wheee!
*sorry the pics aren't the greatest. Camera phone...
Thanks for the fun time!
For the party they had a blow-up water slide. They kids loved it. It was a nice way for them to cool off, since our highs have been in the 100s the last week or so--and it doesn't look like it will be cooling off anytime soon!
I love the look on Michael's face in this pic.
Woo-hoo!
Wheee!
*sorry the pics aren't the greatest. Camera phone...
Thanks for the fun time!
Workin'
So, this last week has been spent busily (busily...is that really a word?) trying to get our new house ready to move into. I got all the walls washed with TSP to get some of the grime off, and to help the paint adhere to the wall. Today, I was able to get a couple of walls painted. It has felt like a long, grueling process. I hate paint prep with the passion of a thousand fiery suns! Okay, maybe not that much, but pretty darn close!
It can be especially hard with all the extra "help" I'm receiving. Here they are helping clean out the pantry.
Crowded around the laptop watching "Treasure Planet" so Mommy can get some work done.
Moments like these are the only reason they are still ALIVE!!! I think this is one of the sweetest pictures I've ever seen.
And this has to be one of the most hilarious pictures I've ever seen in my life. Don't you just want to call her "Maude" and give her a Chrysler to drive around Sun City?!
This next week Scott has finals, whilst I pack, pack, pack. The week after that we are planning to get all moved into the new place. Then my blogging can return to its regular regularity. Over and out.
It can be especially hard with all the extra "help" I'm receiving. Here they are helping clean out the pantry.
Crowded around the laptop watching "Treasure Planet" so Mommy can get some work done.
Moments like these are the only reason they are still ALIVE!!! I think this is one of the sweetest pictures I've ever seen.
And this has to be one of the most hilarious pictures I've ever seen in my life. Don't you just want to call her "Maude" and give her a Chrysler to drive around Sun City?!
This next week Scott has finals, whilst I pack, pack, pack. The week after that we are planning to get all moved into the new place. Then my blogging can return to its regular regularity. Over and out.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Reflections on Mother's Day
What can I say about Mother's Day? It started out with us being late to church, as usual. Got to sit in the back back, in the clangy, metal chairs. But, overall we had a pleasant time at church. After we got home, it happened...I started feeling bummed out. Why?! This is *my* day! I should be happy! But, for many years now Mother's Day & I have not had the best relationship.
First, it was because every Mother's Day was a reminder of the children I was NOT having. The smiling, singing Primary children and the gifts and the talks & lessons on the joys of motherhood felt like knives being twisted in my heart. Why was I not receiving these blessings?! I'm doing everything I can to live the gospel, and yet people who dump their babies in dumpsters are able to conceive when I cannot. Did I do something wrong? Would I really be that bad of a mother that I can't be trusted with just one little bundle of joy?
Then, after we were blessed to have children enter our home (in triplicate, no less), my feelings on Mother's Day changed. Only now, rather than feeling sadness over my childlessness, I foolishly tend to use the holiday to reflect on my inadequacies as a mother. When my children are the youth speakers, will they be able to truthfully say they had a wonderful mother? Or will they find themselves wishing things had been different? There are so many ways in which I want to be a better mother. The list is long & depressing. How do you focus on *one* thing on the list to work on, when they are all so important? These children are young and impressionable. We are only given a short time to do the best we can, teach them the things they need to know to survive in this crazy world and train them up in the ways of the Lord. What if I lose my window? What if they are ruined for life? Please tell me you have felt this way before. Or, am I just insane?
Needless to say, with these thoughts swimming around in my head I was not in the peachiest mood. But, the kids found a way to help cheer me up. They wrapped themselves in blankets as "presents" and told Daddy to hand them to me to open. (They did this around Christmas time, too. See the post here.) Seeing their excitement and the happy smiles on their faces helped me to feel better. Then Scott and I had a long talk about how I was feeling, and that helped cheer me up, too.
Later that evening, Scott made a special Mother's Day dinner, complete with steak, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, broccoli and strawberry shortcake for dessert. The steak was *so* tender, you barely had to chew it. It just melted in your mouth. Mmmmmm.....
Then it was time to open gifts. This is the best picture I could get with the kids. Ha!
I got a little massager thingy. I was getting the kids with it, and they were cracking up. Oh, and disregard the fact that I look like a total gomer in this picture. You heard right... a GOMER! (this one's for you, Jodi)
I also got a couple of books. One is about crafts with ribbon, and the other is about home organizing. Now, before you start having "Father of the Bride" flashbacks, let me just say that everytime I go to a bookstore or surf Amazon.com I tell Scott all about some organizing book I just have to have. Organizing is *so* hard for me. So, it really was a thoughtful gift. It was funny, though, because before I opened it, Scott kept saying, "This isn't a Mother's Day gift. It's just a gift, and I wanted you to have it, and today happens to be Mother's Day when you get it." He was afraid I would be offended if I was given a book like that for Mother's Day. What a funny boy.
I hope you all had a smashing Mother's Day. Being a mommy is hard work, but I know that all you moms out there who read my blog are great at it. Don't beat yourself up or let Satan make you feel inadequate or unworthy. "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"--that includes Mr. Doom-and-Gloom!!
First, it was because every Mother's Day was a reminder of the children I was NOT having. The smiling, singing Primary children and the gifts and the talks & lessons on the joys of motherhood felt like knives being twisted in my heart. Why was I not receiving these blessings?! I'm doing everything I can to live the gospel, and yet people who dump their babies in dumpsters are able to conceive when I cannot. Did I do something wrong? Would I really be that bad of a mother that I can't be trusted with just one little bundle of joy?
Then, after we were blessed to have children enter our home (in triplicate, no less), my feelings on Mother's Day changed. Only now, rather than feeling sadness over my childlessness, I foolishly tend to use the holiday to reflect on my inadequacies as a mother. When my children are the youth speakers, will they be able to truthfully say they had a wonderful mother? Or will they find themselves wishing things had been different? There are so many ways in which I want to be a better mother. The list is long & depressing. How do you focus on *one* thing on the list to work on, when they are all so important? These children are young and impressionable. We are only given a short time to do the best we can, teach them the things they need to know to survive in this crazy world and train them up in the ways of the Lord. What if I lose my window? What if they are ruined for life? Please tell me you have felt this way before. Or, am I just insane?
Needless to say, with these thoughts swimming around in my head I was not in the peachiest mood. But, the kids found a way to help cheer me up. They wrapped themselves in blankets as "presents" and told Daddy to hand them to me to open. (They did this around Christmas time, too. See the post here.) Seeing their excitement and the happy smiles on their faces helped me to feel better. Then Scott and I had a long talk about how I was feeling, and that helped cheer me up, too.
Later that evening, Scott made a special Mother's Day dinner, complete with steak, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, broccoli and strawberry shortcake for dessert. The steak was *so* tender, you barely had to chew it. It just melted in your mouth. Mmmmmm.....
Then it was time to open gifts. This is the best picture I could get with the kids. Ha!
I got a little massager thingy. I was getting the kids with it, and they were cracking up. Oh, and disregard the fact that I look like a total gomer in this picture. You heard right... a GOMER! (this one's for you, Jodi)
I also got a couple of books. One is about crafts with ribbon, and the other is about home organizing. Now, before you start having "Father of the Bride" flashbacks, let me just say that everytime I go to a bookstore or surf Amazon.com I tell Scott all about some organizing book I just have to have. Organizing is *so* hard for me. So, it really was a thoughtful gift. It was funny, though, because before I opened it, Scott kept saying, "This isn't a Mother's Day gift. It's just a gift, and I wanted you to have it, and today happens to be Mother's Day when you get it." He was afraid I would be offended if I was given a book like that for Mother's Day. What a funny boy.
I hope you all had a smashing Mother's Day. Being a mommy is hard work, but I know that all you moms out there who read my blog are great at it. Don't beat yourself up or let Satan make you feel inadequate or unworthy. "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"--that includes Mr. Doom-and-Gloom!!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
And the award goes to...
I got this from my friend Pam. I thought it was awesome! Check it out!
http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=PljTugvH.dkeXYE66t9geTIzOTQ1NzU-&referred_by=16163467-vVym9gx&p=moveon
http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=PljTugvH.dkeXYE66t9geTIzOTQ1NzU-&referred_by=16163467-vVym9gx&p=moveon
Friday, May 8, 2009
Vegas 07
I was looking through some old pictures saved on our external hard drive, and I found these pictures of our trip to Vegas on Spring Break May of 2007. The pictures were taken while we were exploring the grounds at the "Flamingo". It's crazy how much the kids have grown!
Looking at the fish in the water. Daddy making sure the kids don't fall in! (The girls actually still wear these shirts, even though they are size 18-24 months. I just think they are so cute. It's getting to be about time to retire them, though, since Emma's belly sticks out half the time while she is wearing the it.)
Scott & Emma (I had to think about that one for a minute! (the emma part, not the scott part))
Awww...little Michael.
I'm laughing because we're trying to get this nice little family picture and it is NOT working!
Back home, 'eating' breakfast.
Silly kids! Emma's face in this one cracks me up.
You can see that Katelynn is the instigator of the bunch.
Katelynn: "I'm innocent, I swear!"
Thanks for taking a little walk down memory lane with me!
Looking at the fish in the water. Daddy making sure the kids don't fall in! (The girls actually still wear these shirts, even though they are size 18-24 months. I just think they are so cute. It's getting to be about time to retire them, though, since Emma's belly sticks out half the time while she is wearing the it.)
Scott & Emma (I had to think about that one for a minute! (the emma part, not the scott part))
Awww...little Michael.
I'm laughing because we're trying to get this nice little family picture and it is NOT working!
Back home, 'eating' breakfast.
Silly kids! Emma's face in this one cracks me up.
You can see that Katelynn is the instigator of the bunch.
Katelynn: "I'm innocent, I swear!"
Thanks for taking a little walk down memory lane with me!
Library
Today we decided to go to the library. Usually we go for storytime or Mini-Movers, but this month they aren't doing storytime or Mini-Movers because they don't have enough staff to cover storytime and school visits.
At first I thought about not going (since there was no Mini-Movers), but when I mentioned going to the library the kids were SO excited. It's been a long time since we went to the library. Emma started rolling around on the floor {screaming} she was so excited. That clinched it for me-- we're going to the library!
At the library they have little activity tables, including two train tables. We have a train table at home (Michael's Christmas present..thanks Grandma & Grandpa!), but for some reason the train table at the library is more exciting.
Emma being a goofball.
Katelynn making "something green" on the Lego table.
Michael petting "his favorite animal", a stuffed dinosaur.
When you go to the library when it's not overcrowded with people there for activities, it's actually pretty quiet! The kids were really good, and stayed within eye-sight. Our biggest 'fight' was telling them they couldn't play on the computers, and it wasn't even that big of a deal.
Why am I mentioning this? Because it is {amazing} and {wonderful}, that's why. Lately I've been feeling like I have these disobedient, hyper little... sweethearts (*ergh!!*). It can be really discouraging. So, to be able to go to a public place without children ending up OUTSIDE in the parking lot (*cough, cough*EmmaonWednesdaynight*cough, cough) or having screaming melt-downs (*cough, cough*MichaelandKatelynnateachothers'throatseverysecond*cough, cough) is a good thing!
At first I thought about not going (since there was no Mini-Movers), but when I mentioned going to the library the kids were SO excited. It's been a long time since we went to the library. Emma started rolling around on the floor {screaming} she was so excited. That clinched it for me-- we're going to the library!
At the library they have little activity tables, including two train tables. We have a train table at home (Michael's Christmas present..thanks Grandma & Grandpa!), but for some reason the train table at the library is more exciting.
Emma being a goofball.
Katelynn making "something green" on the Lego table.
Michael petting "his favorite animal", a stuffed dinosaur.
When you go to the library when it's not overcrowded with people there for activities, it's actually pretty quiet! The kids were really good, and stayed within eye-sight. Our biggest 'fight' was telling them they couldn't play on the computers, and it wasn't even that big of a deal.
Why am I mentioning this? Because it is {amazing} and {wonderful}, that's why. Lately I've been feeling like I have these disobedient, hyper little... sweethearts (*ergh!!*). It can be really discouraging. So, to be able to go to a public place without children ending up OUTSIDE in the parking lot (*cough, cough*EmmaonWednesdaynight*cough, cough) or having screaming melt-downs (*cough, cough*MichaelandKatelynnateachothers'throatseverysecond*cough, cough) is a good thing!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Cooking Blog Updates
Hey! Just so you know, we are making some changes to our cooking blog What's in {Your} Oven?. Now we will issue the new challenge on Monday, and move the posting deadline to Sunday night. We will also be adding a new feature called "Question of the Week".
The schedule will be as follows:
Monday: challenge is issued
Wednesday: Chef Spotlight
Saturday: Question of the Week
Sunday: posting deadline
The Question of the Week is a new feature that we'll start at the end of this week. We'll post a question (what's your favorite kitchen gadget?, what's the best kitchen/cooking advice you've ever received?, for example), and let people leave comments on it all week. It will be a way to get to know each other better, as well as share experience and expertise so we can learn from each other.
We'll also be updating the format of the blog (layout, navigation, etc.) over the next week.
With all the exciting new changes, now is a great time to join in the fun! If you have any questions, or would like to participate in the challenges & post them on the blog, leave me a comment or e-mail us at whatsinyouroven(at)yahoo(dot)com.
So, head on over and check out What's in {Your} Oven? !! And feel free to pick up a bloggy button while you're there!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Streaky Jeans & Jason's Deli
I am pleased to report that my plan of action worked on those crayon-infested jeans. Just Spray n' Wash, Kirkland's Laundry Detergent & Ultra Clorox 2 for Colors did the trick. Phew!!
Also, my friend Jenn & I both had a hard week this week. Jenn and her daughter have both been sick all week, and I...well, I've had toddlers x 3 + a husband gone studying all week. (I was always good at math. Okay, maybe I wasn't.) So, our awesome friend {Lisa} VOLUNTEERED to watch the kiddos so Jenn & I could go out to lunch. How neato is that?! (Thanks, Lisa. You're a peach!)
Neither of us had ever been to Jason's Deli, and we'd heard it was really good, so that's where we ended up going to lunch. It was pretty good. The prices weren't super cheap (no Dollar menu), but they weren't super expensive either (we didn't have to take out another student loan to dine there). The best part, though, was the chatting. We both really, really, really needed to get out of the house and talk to another adult. I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only gal out there who feels the way I do.
After Jason's Deli we headed over to The Home Depot to pick up some painting supplies. Next week we are going to head over to the new house and git 'er dun! After we get the place painted I'm going to take over small loads everyday, then we will do the {big move} during Scott's two week break from school the end of May. (he only gets that ONE 2 week break this whole summer. then, his next break is the end of August for 1 week. ergh! more on THAT later)
I hate to leave you with no pictures, so I'll throw in a couple for good measure.
Here is a picture I stole off another blog of a bunch of us 'med school wives' swimming last fall at Aqua-Tots.
Here's a picture of Michael riding their bouncy horse & wearing Daddy's cowboy hat.
Katelynn trying on Mommy's pantyhose that are "for choir". (When I was in choir at UVSC we had to wear black tights with our dresses, so I think the kids think that those are specifically for choir.)
Emma playing in the rain. *gasp* Yes, it does, from time to time, rain here in Arizona. And you know what they say...when it rains, it pours!
Have a happy day!
Also, my friend Jenn & I both had a hard week this week. Jenn and her daughter have both been sick all week, and I...well, I've had toddlers x 3 + a husband gone studying all week. (I was always good at math. Okay, maybe I wasn't.) So, our awesome friend {Lisa} VOLUNTEERED to watch the kiddos so Jenn & I could go out to lunch. How neato is that?! (Thanks, Lisa. You're a peach!)
Neither of us had ever been to Jason's Deli, and we'd heard it was really good, so that's where we ended up going to lunch. It was pretty good. The prices weren't super cheap (no Dollar menu), but they weren't super expensive either (we didn't have to take out another student loan to dine there). The best part, though, was the chatting. We both really, really, really needed to get out of the house and talk to another adult. I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only gal out there who feels the way I do.
After Jason's Deli we headed over to The Home Depot to pick up some painting supplies. Next week we are going to head over to the new house and git 'er dun! After we get the place painted I'm going to take over small loads everyday, then we will do the {big move} during Scott's two week break from school the end of May. (he only gets that ONE 2 week break this whole summer. then, his next break is the end of August for 1 week. ergh! more on THAT later)
I hate to leave you with no pictures, so I'll throw in a couple for good measure.
Here is a picture I stole off another blog of a bunch of us 'med school wives' swimming last fall at Aqua-Tots.
Here's a picture of Michael riding their bouncy horse & wearing Daddy's cowboy hat.
Katelynn trying on Mommy's pantyhose that are "for choir". (When I was in choir at UVSC we had to wear black tights with our dresses, so I think the kids think that those are specifically for choir.)
Emma playing in the rain. *gasp* Yes, it does, from time to time, rain here in Arizona. And you know what they say...when it rains, it pours!
Have a happy day!
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